"Bravo!" cried the head forester, who quite forgot that he was a sufferer also. "Will, I can echo what Toni said, you please me better now than you have ever done in your life. I really feel very sorry you are not going to be my son-in-law."
Frau von Eschenhagen had not been prepared for such an answer. She had built upon her old power and strength, and now it lay at her feet a wreck.
She was not the woman to yield, however; had it cost her her life she would not have bent her stubborn will then.
"Very well, then, we are done with one another," she said shortly, and turned to leave the room without heeding her brother's whispered words, as he rose to follow her. But before they had reached the door, it was opened hastily by a servant, who said excitedly:
"The steward from Rodeck is here and wishes—"
"I have no time to be bothered now," interrupted Schönau sharply. "Tell old Stadinger I am engaged upon important family matters and—"
He did not finish, for Stadinger, who had followed the servant stood in the doorway, and said in a suppressed tone:
"I come upon a family matter, Herr von Schönau, but it is a sad one. I cannot wait, but must speak with you at once."
"What is it? speak out!" said the head forester. "Has any misfortune happened to the prince? He's not at Rodeck?"
"No, his highness is in the city, but Herr Rojanow is here and sent me. He begs that you and Herr von Eschenhagen come down at once to Rodeck, and," he glanced at Frau von Eschenhagen, of whose arrival he had not heard, "and my lady should come, too."